Kashmir Celebrates Pak Independence Day, Armed Rebels give Gun salute

On 14th August people in some parts of Kashmir valley celebrated the Pakistani Independence day. Several rallies were taken out in south Kashmir, with participants chanting pro-Pakistan and pro-Freedom slogans while waving Pakistani flags. In #Redwani area of Kulgam district, armed militants belonging to the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit appeared in one such rally and gave a gun salute to the Pakistani flag, a rare occurrence in itself since 1994. It was the second such instance since the killing of Hizb commander #BurhanWani, on July 8th, when armed rebels appeared publicly joining the protesters. Anger over the 69 civilian killings and injuries to over 7000 people is refusing to die down as the valley is witnessing continuous shutdown for more than 40 days. Authorities have clamped a strict curfew in all the major towns and strategic locations in the valley. Our south Kashmir correspondent, Shafat Mir, brings us this report.